The store’s most popular items are the oven mitts and aprons, which continually sold out over the holidays, keeping Aune especially busy, since she herself stencils, screen prints or sews almost everything she sells. “I print five yards of fabric at a time,” she says. “Everything is made in small batches.” This spring, she is introducing new purse designs (with different patterns inside and out), summer shirts, sunglass cases and belts.

Aune doesn’t keep her crafting knowledge to herself—she has taught virtual hand-stenciling classes through institutions in Minnesota, Chicago, Alaska and even Estonia; her next one will be in June, for the American Swedish Institute in Minneapolis. After getting vaccinated, she hopes to host in-person sewing workshops at the store, including ones for local at-risk youth so they can learn to make their own clothes.

Three SVA alumni–owned shops that have persevered in a daunting time for brick-and-mortar retail

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